Telescopic umbrella stick

ABSTRACT

In a telescopic umbrella stick wherein there are at least two telescopic sections, there is provided a plug in the stick section of smaller diameter having a shoulder protruding laterally beyond the diameter of the stick section. In the end of the stick section of greater diameter, there is a sleeve fixed thereto and adapted to receive the smaller stick section. In one embodiment, ball spring means are provided for locking the stick sections in an extended position, while in another embodiment, a spring pawl is integral with the plug adapted to engage corresponding apertures in the inner stick section and the outer stick section to lock the stick sections together.

[11] 3,811,455 1 May 21, 1974 TELESCOPIC UMBRELLA STICK [75] Inventor: Klaus Thur, Solingen, Germany [73] Assignee: Telesco Brophey Limited, Montreal,

Quebec, Canada [22] Filed: Oct. 18, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 298,488

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 2,989,968 6/1961 Vogel l35/46 T Primary Examiner.l. Karl Bell Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Alan Swabey; Robert E. Mitchell 5 7] ABSTRACT In a telescopic umbrella stick wherein there are at least two telescopic sections, there is provided a plug in the stick section of smaller diameter having a shoulder protruding laterally beyond the diameter of the stick section. In the end of the stick section of greater diameter, there is a sleeve fixed thereto and adapted to receive the smaller stick section. In one embodiment, ball spring means are provided for locking the stick sections in an extended position, while in another embodiment, a spring pawl is integral with the plug adapted to engage corresponding apertures in the inner stick section and the outer stick section to lock the stick sections together. w

4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEBmm m4 SHEET 3 UP 3 FIG. 6

@Wuhl BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of Invention The present invention relates to an umbrella, and particularly to an umbrella having a telescopic stick.

2. Description of Prior Art In known umbrellas, having a telescopic stick, wherein there are at least two telescopic sections, the smaller stick section often is provided with a hexagonal cross-section, while the end of the larger stick section must also have a hexagonal portion so that the stick sections will not rotate relative to each other. However, in the manufacturing of these sticks, it is difficult to produce the hexagonal end of the larger stick section and since the end of the larger stick section provides the bearing location for the inner stick section, it is subject to considerable wear. It is, therefore, not suitable to make the stick sections out of cheaper and lighter alloys, since the bearing part of the larger stick section would be easily deformed and very shortly become unstable. Furthermore, because of the wear at the bearing portion of the larger stick, it is difficult to maintain small tolerances which are required when locking the stick together by a normal ball and spring device and thus after a short period of use, the umbrella stick sections will not readily remain held in an extended position SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is an aim of the present invention to provide a stable bearing area between the two stick sections, even though the stick sections may be made of light metal.

It is also an aim of the present invention to provide a telescopic stick which is easy and economical to manufacture.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide an improved locking device for locking the stick sections in an extended position, such that the locking device will not release itself unexpectedly.

A construction in accordance with the present invention includes an umbrella stick comprising at least two stick sections, with a first stick section adapted to slide within a second stick section of relatively larger diameter, a bearing sleeve fitted within the end of the second umbrella stick section, and the sleeve having an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the first stick section, the first stick section having a plug fixed within the stick section at the end thereof and a shoulder, integral with the plug, having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the sleeve but corresponding to the inner diameter of the second stick section and forming a shoulder. whereby the stick sections cannot be pulled apart since the shoulder engages the sleeve fixed within the second stick section, and locking means are provided for releasably locking the stick sections in an extended position.

In a more specific embodiment of the present invention a pawl is provided integrally with the plug in the first stick section having-a locking head adapted to engage apertures in the first stick section and second stick section when aligned. Still further, it is contemplated to provide a locking head on the pawl such that it is not readily disengaged in its locking position, but when a runner on said stick slides over the locking head in the situation when the umbrella is being closed, it will move the locking head such that it is in a position ready to be released by collapse of the stick sections.

In still a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the plug and the sleeve in the respective stick sections can be made of plastic material'havi'ng antifriction properties and the material of the stick sections can be made of light metal such as aluminum without danger of wear in the bearing location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an umbrella frame in an open position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of a longitudinal detail of the umbrella stick;

FIG. 3 is a vertical or longitudinal cross section taken along lines IIIIII of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross section taken along lines IV-lV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross section taken along lines V-V of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross section similar to FIG. 3, but showing another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FlG. 6, I

3 which slides within the stick section 2. The stick sections are retained in their fully extended positions by the locking means 4. A crown 5 is provided at the upper end of the stick section 2 and pivotally mounts dome ribs 6. Support stretcher members 7 are hinged at 8 to the dome ribs and to a main runner 9. An auxiliary runner ll slides on the stick between the main runner 9 and the crown 5 and pivotally mounts struts 12 which are hinged in turn to the stretcher members 7. A handle 13 is mounted at the other end of the stick section 3 and is of the type suitable to receive the runner -9 as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 5, the umbrella stick section 2 is provided'with a sleeve 14 which in this case is made of plastic having appropriate anti-friction properties. The sleeve 14 has an outer cylindrical shape tightly fitting the inner surface of the stick 2 and is inserted at the mouth 2 of the stick section 2.

Diametrically opposed apertures 16 are defined in the wall of the cylindrical tube stick section 2 and cooperating projections 15 are molded with the sleeve 14 so that when the sleeve is inserted in the mouth 2 of the stick section 2, the projections 15 engage in the apertures 16 thereby locking the sleeve 14 in the stick section 2 as long as the stick section 3 slides therein and the sleeve cannot be deformed, whereby the sleeve could be retrieved from the stick 2. Thus, the sleeve 14 cannot be normally retracted or rotated relative to the stick section 2.

A shoulder 17 which is chamfered forms a stop for der 17 allows the main runner 9 (FIG. 1) to slide over the so-formed joint with ease.

A plug 19, preferably of molded plastic material, is fitted inside the stick section 3'and includes a shoulder 18 which has a diameter greater than the diameter 20 of the end of the stick section 3 and which is just slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the stick section 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the shoulder 18 normally abuts against the end face 20 of the sleeve 14. At the other end of the plug 19, there is provided an annular groove forming a shoulder 26'. A tab 26 is cut out in the sidewall of the stick section 3 and extends downwardly away from the mouth 3" of the stick section 3 to engagethe plug 19 in the groove 25 and abut against the shoulder 26 so formed. Thus, the plug 19 can easily be inserted into the stick section 3 but cannot as eas- ,ily be retracted therefrom.

Further, a chamfered surface 27 is provided on the end of the plug 19 so as to make it easier to insert the plug into the mouth 3' of the stick section 3.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the locking means is provided by a ball-spring device as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Two balls 22 are held apart by means of a compression spring 21 in a bore 23 formed in the plug 19. The bore 23 is aligned with diametrically opposed apertures 22' in the stick section 3. Similar smaller apertures 24 are provided in the sleeve 14 and aligned apertures 24 are provided in the outer stick section 2. The balls 22 enter the apertures 24 to engage the stick sections 2 and 3 in an extended,position. When it is required to close the umbrella, the stick section 3 is merely forced against the stick section 2, such that the spring 21 is overcome, forcing the balls 22 within the confines of the stick section 3.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 8, similar parts are identified by reference numbers which have been increased by 100. The stick 1 includes stick sections 102 and 103. A plug 119 is provided in the stick section 103 and includes an annular groove 125 with a shoulder 126 adapted to be engaged by a cut-out tab 126 in the side wall of the stick section 103.

The sleeve 114 has similar projections 115 which engage apertures 116 in the wall of the tube section 102. The sleeve 114 also includes a shoulder 117 which engages the edge 102 of the tube section 102 and has a chamfered surface.

The plug 119 has a central section which is hollowed out at 131 as is shown in FIG. 8. The plug 119 includes an abutting shoulder 118 which engages against the end surface 120 of the sleeve 114 to prevent the sticks from being pulled apart. Within the opening 131 in the plug 119, there is provided an integrally molded pawl .128 with a portion 132 reinforcing the bottom end thereof and providing the spring properties of the pawl 128.

The pawl 128 is formed in the plug 119 by free side edges 129 (see FIG. 8) and also includes a locking cam projection 134 with a curved cam surface 136 disposed beyond an inner shoulder portion 138 (FIGS. 6 and 7). There is an aperture 135 provided in the inner stick section 103 and corresponding apertures 124 and 124' in the sleeve 114 and stick section 102, respectively. When the stick sections 102 and 103 are in an extended position, the apertures I35, 124, 124 are aligned and the spring pawl presses the head 134 through the aligned apertures locking the stick sections.

The curved cam surface 136 of the head 134 projects beyond the wall of the stick section 102 such that the sticks cannot be collapsed by merely pressing the stick sections 103 and 102 together. However, when it is required to close the umbrella, the main runner 109 is moved downwardly along the stick section 102 and engages the cam surface 136 of the head 134 forcing the locking head 134 on the spring pawl 128 to move inwardly see FIG. 7. The sticks in this position are still locked since the head 134 is still within the apertures 135 and 124. However, the cam surface 136 is now in a position that it can be engaged by the edges of the opening 124 in the sleeve 114 such that as pressure is applied against the stick sections 102 and 103, the edge of the aperture 124 on the sleeve 114 will force the head 134 further inwardly thereby allowing the stick sections to telescope.

When the stick sections are telescoped, the cam surface 136 of the head 134 will abut against the inner surface of the stick section 102 and is biased outwardly. As soon as the stick sections are extended and the apertures 135, 124 and 124' are aligned, the locking head 134 will move into engagement with these apertures.

I claim: 1. In a telescopic stick for an umbrella including at least two stick sections including a first stick section adapted to slide within a second stick section of relatively larger diameter, a bearing sleeve fitted within the end of the second stick section and the sleeve having an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the first stick section, the first stick section having a plug fixed within the first stick section at the end thereof, and a shoulder integral with the plug having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the sleeve but less than the inner diameter of the second stick section, whereby the stick sections cannot be pulled apart, and locking means for releasably locking the stick sections in an extended position, the sleeve including a radially extending projection andthe wall of the second stick section including an aperture receiving theprojection to therebylock the sleeve against axial and rotational movement relative thereto, the improvement wherein the plug comprises a one-piece element and includes a hollowed-out portion defining a recess at one side thereof, said plug including an integral spring pawl confronting the recess and partially displacable into the recess and formed as an integral part of the plug at a lower enlarged portion thereof which substantially fills the transverse cross section of said one stick section, said spring pawl including a locking head projecting toward and normally urged toward the inner surface of said first stick section in which the plug is mounted and having a terminal cam surface, said first stick section having an aperture portion aligned with said locking head and through which said cam surface projects, similar aligned aperture portions in the sleeve and second stick section whereby all the aperture portions are alignable when the sticks are extended so that the locking head projects through the aperture portions and locks the stick sections against axial movement, said locking head being ofa length so that the cam surface is exposed beyond the outer surface of said first stick section, the sleeve and second stick sections when the stick sections are locked against relative axial movement, an umbrella runner alidably disposed on the umbrella stick for engaging the cam surface and partially depressing the locking head inwardly toward said recess in opposition to the spring pawl, and subsequent relative movement of the second stick section and sleeve causing portions at the aperture portions thereof to engage the cam nose and urge the locking head further into the recess and permitting relative axial telescoping and collapsing movement between the stick sections.

2. An umbrella stick as defined in claim 1, wherein theplug is provided with a second shoulder portion defined by an annular recess therein and a tab struck from the wall of the first section adapted to engage and engaging the shoulder and preventing the plug from movwith the plug.

* i l 5* I 

1. In a telescopic stick for an umbrella including at least two stick sections including a first stick section adapted to slide within a second stick section of relatively larger diameter, a bearing sleeve fitted within the end of the second stick section and the sleeve having an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the first stick section, the first stick section having a plug fixed within the first stick section at the end thereof, and a shoulder integral with the plug having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the sleeve but less than the inner diameter of the second stick section, whereby the stick sections cannot be pulled apart, and locking means for releasably locking the stick sections in an extended position, the sleeve including a radially extending projection and the wall of the second stick section including an aperture receiving the projection to thereby lock the sleeve against axial and rotational movement relative thereto, the improvement wherein the plug comprises a one-piece element and includes a hollowed-out portion defining a recess at one side thereof, said plug including an integral spring pawl confronting the recess and partially displacable into the recess and formed as an integral part of the plug at a lower enlarged portion thereof which substantially fills the transverse cross section of said one stick section, said spring pawl including a locking head projecting toward and normally urged toward the inner surface of said first stick section in which the plug is mounted and having a terminal cam surface, said first stick section having an aperture portion aligned with said locking head and through which said cam surface projects, similar aligned aperture portions in the sleeve and second stick section whereby all the aperture portions are alignable when the sticks are extended so that the locking head projects through the aperture portions and locks the stick sections against axial movement, said locking head being of a length so that the cam surface is exposed beyond the outer surface of said first stick section, the sleeve and second stick sections when the stick sections are locked against relative axial movement, an umbrella runner alidably disposed on the umbrella stick for engaging the cam surface and partially depressing the locking head inwardly toward said recess in opposition to the spring pawl, and subsequent relative movement of the second stick section and sleeve causing portions at the aperture portions thereof to engage the cam nose and urge the locking head further into the recess and permitting relative axial telescoping and collapsing movement between the stick sections.
 2. An umbrella stick as defined in claim 1, wherein the plug is provided with a second shoulder portion defined by an annular recess therein and a tab struck from the wall of the first section adapted to engage and engaging the shoulder and preventing the plug from moving axially relative to the first section.
 3. An umbrella stick as defined in claim 1, wherein the first section is of hexagonal cross section and the inner cross section of the sleeve is also of hexagonal cross section corresponding to the cross section of the first section sliding therein.
 4. A telescopic stick as defined in claim 1 wherein the plug comprises a molded plastic one-piece element and the spring pawl and locking head are molded integral with the plug. 